HNN215 Drug Portfolio Flashcards

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering drug classes, mechanisms of action, and examples from the HNN215 Drug Portfolio lecture notes.

ACE Inhibitors

Antihypertensive drugs (e.g., Perindopril, Ramipril) that block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II and inhibit the breakdown of bradykinin.

Aminoglycosides

Bactericidal antibiotics (e.g., Gentamycin) that prevent protein synthesis by binding to the $30s$ ribosomal subunit, causing cell membrane damage.

Antacids

Weak bases like Aluminium hydroxide that neutralize hydrochloric acid secreted by parietal cells to treat abdominal discomfort.

Anticholinergics

Drugs (e.g., Ipratropium) that promote bronchodilation by preventing acetylcholine from binding to muscarinic receptors, blocking the PNS response.

Beta2 Agonists

Medications (e.g., Salbutamol, Salmeterol) that relax bronchial smooth muscle by stimulating beta2 adrenoreceptors.

Beta Blockers

Antiarrhythmic agents (e.g., Metoprolol, Labetalol) that block beta receptors in the heart, peripheral vasculature, bronchi, and kidneys.

Beta Lactams

Bactericidal antibiotics (e.g., Penicillin, Cephalosporin) that interfere with bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins.

Biguanides

Diabetes medication (Metformin) that reduces glucose production in the liver and increases insulin sensitivity.

Bulk-forming laxatives

Laxatives like Psyllium (Metamucil) that absorb water in the colon to increase faecal bulk and stimulate peristalsis.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Antihypertensives (e.g., Amlodipine, Verapamil) that block the inward movement of calcium into vascular smooth muscle, myocardium, and the cardiac conducting system.

Cardiac Glycoside

Digoxin; increases intracellular calcium to increase myocardial contraction force while slowing heart rate and AV nodal conduction.

Corticosteroids (systemic)

Drugs like Hydrocortisone and Prednisolone that reduce inflammation by decreasing the production of inflammatory mediators.

Corticosteroids (inhaled)

Anti-inflammatory agents (e.g., Fluticasone) that alter intracellular protein synthesis to regulate cell inflammation.

Dopamine-2 Antagonist

Antiemetics such as Metoclopramide that block dopamine receptors in the medulla and GIT to prevent nausea and vomiting.

Glycopeptides

Bactericidal antibiotics like Vancomycin that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis; associated with 'Red man' syndrome during rapid infusion.

Heparins

Anticoagulants (e.g., Enoxaparin) that inactivate clotting factors $IIa$ (thrombin) and $Xa$ by binding to antithrombin $III$.

Histamine-2 receptor antagonists

Drugs like Ranitidine and Famotidine that competitively block H2 receptors on parietal cells to reduce gastric acid secretion.

Insulins

Hormonal treatments (e.g., Novorapid, Lantus) that restore the ability to metabolize glucose by enhancing cellular glucose uptake.

Local anaesthetics (Amides)

Agents like Lidocaine that reversibly disrupt impulse conduction in peripheral nerves by blocking sodium ion channels.

Loop diuretics

Potent diuretics (e.g., Furosemide) that inhibit reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the ascending portion of the loop of Henle.

Macrolides

Bacteriostatic antibiotics (e.g., Erythromycin) that inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the $50s$ ribosomal subunit.

Neuraminidase inhibitor

Oseltamivir; inhibits the neuraminidase surface protein to prevent the release of the influenza virus from host cells.

Nitrates

Vasodilators like Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) that provide an exogenous source of nitric oxide to reduce venous return and myocardial oxygen requirements.

Non-opioid analgesics

Paracetamol; inhibits prostaglandin synthesis in the CNS and modulates descending pathways to provide analgesia.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Drugs (e.g., Ibuprofen, Celecoxib) that inhibit prostaglandin production by inhibiting cyclo-oxygenase.

Oestrogen receptor modulators

Hormonal anticancer drugs like Tamoxifen that compete with oestrogen for receptor sites in breast tissue to slow tumor growth.

Opioid analgesics

Analgesics (e.g., Morphine, Fentanyl) that act on receptors in the CNS and GIT to reduce transmission of pain impulses.

Osmotic laxatives

Laxatives like Lactulose containing poorly absorbed sugars or salts that draw water into the intestines to stimulate peristalsis.

Polyene (anti-fungal)

Nystatin; binds to ergosterol in fungal cell membranes, causing leakage of intracellular components.

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Drugs (e.g., Esomeprazole, Pantoprazole) that bind to the proton pump of parietal cells to inhibit acid secretion.

Stimulant laxatives

Senna; provides direct stimulation of nerve endings in the colon to increase intestinal motility.

Stool softeners

Docusate; a substance that assists water to mix with faeces to soften the stool, typically taking $1\text{-}3$ days for onset.

Sulfonylureas

Diabetes medications like Gliclazide that increase the secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta cells.

Sympathomimetics

Adrenaline; a drug used in anaphylaxis to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system.

Thiazide and related diuretics

Diuretics (e.g., Indapamide) that inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption in the proximal segment of the distal convoluted tubule.

Warfarin

A vitamin K antagonist that inhibits the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors ($II$, $VII$, $IX$, $X$).

5HT3 Antagonist

Antiemetics like Ondansetron that block serotonin receptors in the medulla and GIT; particularly effective for chemotherapy-induced nausea.

Half-life

Time interval required for elimination processes to reduce the concentration of a medication in the body by half.

Steady state concentration

Where the rate of medication administration is equal to the rate of medication elimination, thus maintaining the concentration of the drug above the minimum effective concentration.

Therapeutic range

Concentration of medication between the minimum level and toxic level.

Bolus dose

A mass intended for IV injection over a short period of time to quickly achieve therapeutic concentration within the body.

Agonist

Medication capable of binding to receptors to initiate medication actions.

Antagonist

Agent that blocks receptors, stopping what normally binds to the receptor, and as a result inhibits normal response.

Pharmacodynamics

The biochemical and physiological effects of medications, study of the mechanism of action/how the drug works on the body.

Pharmacokinetics

Study of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of medications; what the body does to the medication.

Duration of Action

The length of time for which the medication has a pharmacological effect. Measured from onset of action to the time when it drops below minimum effective concentration.

Onset of action

Begins when the medication enters the plasma.